Written Answers

Friday 6 October 2000

Scottish Executive

Biodiversity

Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have formulated local biodiversity action plans and which authorities these are.

Sarah Boyack: All Scottish local authorities are currently in the process of developing Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP). Six have so far been published. They are: City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, North East Scotland (which combines Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Councils), North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns about the impact of the chemical gels used in the manufacture of disposable nappies on the health of children and, following disposal, on the environment.

Sarah Boyack: I understand that Greenpeace in Germany claim to have found tributyl tin (TBT) in disposable babies’ nappies. The levels reported do not appear to give rise to a risk of harm, but, as a precautionary measure, the UK is conducting research into TBT in UK consumer products, including nappies.

Local Government

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce local government legislation which will allow community councils the right to receive additional funding and funding which is on a consistent basis across Scotland.

Mr Frank McAveety: No. It is for individual local authorities to determine the level of funding for community councils operating within their schemes.

Local Government

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from community councils that they should become precepting authorities.

Mr Frank McAveety: We are not aware of having received any such representations from community councils.

Modernising Government

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans, as part of its Modernising Government programme, to introduce a quality mark scheme for public bodies.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive is currently looking at the various quality awards in Scotland as part of our planned 21st Century Government programme.

Sex Education

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in taking forward the central recommendations of the Working Group on Sex Education in Scottish Schools.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I am pleased to inform members that excellent progress has been made. Learning and Teaching Scotland were commissioned to draft the new documents recommended by the working group. The documents are: Guidance for Schools and Local Authorities on effective Consultation with Parents and Carers, A Guide for Parents and Carers on Sex Education in Scottish Schools and A  Summary of National Advice on Sex Education in Scottish Schools for local authorities in schools. Consultation on these documents will commence on 9 October. A draft circular for local authorities on the conduct of sex education will be issued at the same time.

Young People

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place to provide supportive training for disadvantaged school leavers and what plans it has to develop this provision.

Henry McLeish: Training for young people with support needs is delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise through their network of local companies and the Skillseekers programme. There are a range of training providers which offer supportive training for disadvantaged school leavers.

  The Beattie Committee examined post-school provision for young people with additional support needs. The Scottish Executive has established a National Action Group chaired by Nicol Stephen to implement action in response to the Beattie Report.

  Scottish Enterprise together with other agencies are developing post-school provision for disadvantaged young people.